The World of Wheels Packs Big Sandy Arena

After a two-month hiatus I'm back to do my best to bring to life the experiences of visiting interesting events in the area.

If you have suggestions for events you'd like to see on HuntingtonNews.net email me at Lloyd@marshall.edu and I'll do my best to cover them. What has my attention this weekend is the 2011 edition of The World of Wheels. The Big Sandy Superstore Arena is overflowing this weekend with the World of Wheels. There is so much to see that the exhibits spill into the hallways.

The Marshall Hall of Fame Café, 857 Third Avenue, right across from the Arena, has a table right inside the door with their representative handing out coupons for a free flatbread pizza. A few steps farther in is Scragglepop Kettle Corn, 304-617-9950, selling wonderful smelling and tasting kettlecorn. Just inside the main arena is Rick's Lemonade, where you can purchase great drinks and snacks.

On the other side of the arena entrance is C'Moore Smiles, a clown wearing a giant yellow cowboy hat, who is making balloon creations for the children. He had a large group surrounding him all afternoon watching him make everything from tiny wrist balloons to giant flight packs, complete with balloon oxygen tanks. The arena was full of kids wearing his fanciful designs. He can be reached at 740-415-2835 or by email at cavinliles2@gmail.com.

Inside the arena are dozens of cars and trucks. If you can't find something you like, then you just aren't trying. Cars of all eras are on hand. These aren't just your everyday run of the mill old cars either. They're painted in glorious vibrant colors, with decorative striping and all sorts of accessories with every piece, inside and out, shined up and sparkling.

Several car clubs were on hand, with their members showing off their treasured beauties. Crowds filled the arena all day, with folks talking with the owners and admiring the cars and trucks, and I heard more than one say they wished they could own this one or that one. A gorgeous 1961 turquoise and white Corvette is the one I wished for. Everyone had their own favorites.

Area racetracks were represented, with different types of race cars on display. Rick Beckett had his 1964 dragster there. He raced it in the early 1960s at the long-gone Raven Rock Drag Strip in Portsmouth, OH. There were also cars that race at Portsmouth, Rocky Top and Ona Speedway.

Many vendors had booths. O'Reilly Auto Parts, one of the main sponsors, offered a wheel of fortune where you could spin the wheel and win a prize. Even if you didn't win, you received a key ring.

Demonstrations were going on all weekend. Cooper's Trucks and Accessories, 3870 Rhodes Avenue, New Boston, OH, www.cooperstrucks.com took a stock 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and during the course of the show were going to lift and modify it. They were working on it when I was there.

BuzzWraps, a division of CJT's, 888-533-2587, Info@buzzwraps.com, were applying a full body wrap to a truck and another to a motorcycle. Chuck Wheeler, lead installer, was painstakingly attaching the wrap while a crowd watched. His brother Josh, who designs and prints the wraps, told me that a full-truck wrap can usually be applied in about an hour, but they were taking their time so people could see how it is done. The wraps are warranted for three years, but when a coat of Clearcoat is applied, the warranty is for seven years. Josh said the wrap can be removed up to four years after installation with no damage to the original paint of the vehicle. In addition to vehicle wraps, the company CJT's also is a full-service sign shop, and makes embroidered and screen-printed apparel.

Gary Hall of Hurricane, WV, had a miniature drive in with restored children's pedal cars. On hand was a Kiddilac, among others. Renowned designers Harley Earl and Bill Mitchel of General Motors, designed the kiddie cars as miniatures of the full-sized cars. Bob Yuhas, who was featured on the TV show "American Restoration" restored the pink and burgundy cars on display. Jeff Blose of Hershey, PA, does most of the restorations for Mr. Hall, and he also designed the stand up signs next to the cars. The popcorn machine is from the 1940s and still works. The jukebox is a miniature replica and the soda machines are toys from the 1950s. Mr. Hall has about 150 pedal cars in his collection and about 40 have been restored. He plans to eventually have them all restored. He built the drive in stand, based on a real drive in. He's been collecting the pedal cars and related toys for 12 to 15 years.

A racetrack with miniature cars was set up for kids of all ages to enjoy and try their skill.

Robert Sayre has been collecting Nascar items and Hot Wheels for over 20 years and brings parts of his collection to the show to sell. He had model car kits of Nascar racecars signed by the drivers and other Nascar memorabilia. I saw a couple of kits signed by Richard Petty, among others.

Doug Kemp, 304-757-2716, a member of Mountaineer Woodturners, had lots of model car kits and Hot Wheels for sale. He has some items on display that are not for sale but for exhibit only. He only exhibits his car models at this show each year. He said he has gotten away from collecting the cars and started woodworking. He had some of his wooden items for sale. He makes the items and his wife paints them. He will be exhibiting his wood turned items at craft shows this year.

Hundreds of T-shirts, hats and prints are the handiwork of Doug Todd, who takes his items to shows all over the eastern part of the country. He does indoor shows through March then outdoor ones the rest of the year. He's been exhibiting n shows for about 15 years.

Scott Hesson from WTCR Radio was broadcasting from the show.

Overseeing everything was Earl Davis, Jr. For 34 years the Davis and Wheeler families have presented the World of Wheels. His father, Earl Davis, Sr. started the show, and Earl Jr. has worked with it since he was a teenager. Now his sons, Trey and Race, help him with the show. Trey sent word to his 500 friends on Facebook that the show was going on this weekend. It must've worked because there were plenty of teenagers in the crowd.

Mr. Davis said awards will be given at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, and there are 30-40 trophies in a myriad of categories. A couple of special awards are given, including the Mountaineer Award for the best car shown for the first time in West Virginia, and the Earl Davis, Sr. Award for the best representative of the type of vehicle he would have liked.

Some unusual cars were on display, including a bright red car made up of parts from several cars, including Olds, Chevy, Buick and Cadillac. The Scooby Doo Mystery Machine was on hand, to the delight of the kids, and it is for sale. The Reapers Rod, a hearse complete with body in the back was also there, and Frankenstein's monster stood at the front to greet everyone. A 1970s Cadillac was modified into an El Camino style truck.

There were lots of other vendors, including ones selling old parts and even vintage bicycles. If you don't make it to the World of Wheels this year, be sure to pencil in the first weekend of March on your 2012 calendar so you won't miss it next year.

Pictures include Sierra Fowler, 4, of Chapmanville, WV and C'Moore Smiles; DougKemp; Robert Sayre; Roger Finley and his 55 Bel Air; Ed Combs; Doug Todd; Josh Wheeler wrapping the truck; Gary Hall and his pedal car display; Rick Beckettand his dragster; the Cooper's team working on the Jeep and pictures from the show. These pictures and many more can be seen at http://lloydphotography.ifp3.com.